By: Sydney Franklin Photo By: Kristen Quon
“We reject that Americans must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future,” said President Obama today at his inaugural ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in for his second term as president on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in front of an expected crowd of 800,000 people gathered on the National Mall.
Obama, 51, took his oath at 11:51 a.m. prior to addressing the nation. In addition to reaffirming his commitment to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, his 19-minute speech called for renewed efforts to combat climate change, uphold immigration and gay rights as well as ensure safety in America’s schools.
“Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm,” said Obama.
Amidst the gun control debates spurred on by the shootings in Newtown, Conn., and Aurora, Colo., the president continued to push for stronger laws.
“That is our generation’s task — To make these words, these rights, these values — of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness real for every American,” he said.
Obama actually began his second term Sunday with a private ceremony held at the White House that satisfied the Constitutional requirement of a swearing-in on Jan. 20. He swore his oath on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln.
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